Acid indigestion is something that a lot of people deal with on a daily basis. If left alone, it can grow to be a very destructive and painful ailment called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It can actually eat away the esophageal sphincter, which is a ring of muscle that prevents acid from backing up. This ultimately leads to deterioration of the lining of the esophagus. The best to way to avoid this horrible fate is to not let it start in the first place. This can be done by following a solid diet plan.
Features
An overabundance of acid not only causes reflux but it also causes a battery of other ailments in the body. It compromises the immunity and causes lethargy, irritability, joint pain and brain fog. If acid has the potential to eat through paint on a car, then imagine what this can do inside the body?
Significance
A very important thing to know about acid reflux is the root cause. Before you make any diet alterations, it would be wise to eliminate foods and beverages that cause the problem. Foods are considered either acidic or alkaline. This is based on a pH scale that goes from 0 to 14. Anything above 7 is considered alkaline, and anything below that would be considered acid. See "Additional Resources" below for a great website that has a chart of common foods and how they fair in reference to their acidity.
For quick reference, here are some examples of the worst foods that cause acidity. Unfortunately, these are probably the most consumed as well:
Coffee, bagels, breads, pasta, eggs, cookies, candy, tobacco, processed carbs, alcohol, pizza, wings, fast food and soda.
Function
Once you have found out what acidic foods in your diet are causing you trouble, it is now time to start eliminating them. This might seem intimidating, but it doesn't need to be. Just start with the elimination of one food at a time. Eliminate it for a week or maybe longer if need be, then go to your next food. As you do this, you are going to notice a positive difference. This good feeling will cause urgency for you to stay on track and keep you motivated.
Types
There really is no magical science behind the diet plan. Simply put, eliminate the acid and incorporate the alkaline. In lieu of the elimination of acidic foods, you can ween in alkaline foods the same way. Here is a quick reference of some foods that have a high level of alkalinity:
Kale, collards, baby spinach, mixed baby greens, Romaine lettuce, celery, avocados, cucumbers, sprouts, sea vegetables, lemons, limes (yes, they're alkaline), zucchini, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower and beets.
Time Frame
After following an alkaline-based diet plan results can be seen in as little as one week or as long as four weeks. It depends on how aggressive the elimination and incorporation is. At the bare minimum, small steps every day will lead to big changes in acid reflux. The key is to stay disciplined.
Benefits
As mentioned above and as an added bonus, a lot of other ailments will get cleared up as well. This will ultimately facilitate graceful aging and improve quality of life especially in the later years..
Warning
Once the body has become alkaline, disease and illness have a hard time taking control of the body. This goes for GERD, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, or any other ailment mentioned above. But it might come at a price. If the body is extremely acidic, which is most likely the case with GERD, then a detoxifying effect will take place. This could cause headaches, mood swings, diarrhea and hot and cold flashes. The greater the abstinence, the greater this effect will be. Don't be afraid. This is actually a good thing. It is a sign that your body is eliminating toxins and this feeling will soon be replaced with higher energy levels, a better mood and an overall feeling of wellness.
Tags: diet plan, acid reflux, acidic foods, effect will, feeling will